When I only had a crop body (D500), I wasted time and money with wider 3rd party DX lenses. The funky focus issues broke me down and I went for the 14-24. The other issue that influenced my decision was that when I used the 3rd party options, the color and contrast really didn't stand up when I'd switch to my Nikon24-70/VR.

The color and contrast are great. It's sharp at 2.8 which I use often and when shooting at close range. I find it useful as an urban walk around on the crop body as it's close to a 20-35mm on a FX body (it's actually 21-36mm).

People mark it down for weight, but it's my lightest zoom (I have the 24-70/2.8E VR, 70-200/2.8E FL). I find it's well balanced on a D500, but feels better on a D5. I worried about not having a simple filter option for protection. I ordered the WonderPana system, but the bulk and size of it was going to make more problems for me. I go bare and take care in keeping the element clean. If it gets dirty, it gets dirty - I clean it. I try to keep it zoomed out to 24mm when not shooting to give it a little protection.

I had a D750 know have a D5, and really take advantage of the focal range. It's more specialized on a FX body for me, and it's perfect when it's needed. I use DxO ViewPoint and it works really well to fix any UWA distortion. It's be nice if it was cheaper, but I've always found that when I've searched for less expensive options, it's always cost me more in the end, as I end up with what I wanted in the first place.

I tried the Tamron 15-30/2.8, but the 14-24 seems significantly wider, and that's why I use a UWA.

This is the best lens I own. I'm using it with a D610 for landscapes. Every time I use this lens it surprises me. It's very sharp, handles well, and is a joy to use. It has very, very good corner performance. I struggled between it and a Zeiss 21mm, I'm so happy I chose this one, it's awesome and has exceeded my expectations. It produces an excellent global image, with less distortion than you'd think for a zoom this wide.

The only negatives I would have against it is flare, no filter ring and sometimes the AF is off for critical focusing. I knew about the flare ahead of time and have learned to compose my shots to avoid it. The filters are expensive for this lens, but with my camera I haven't really needed them because the dynamic range is so good. I always use manual focus for landscapes, so the AF missing sometimes isn't really an issue either. I should point out that up close, the AF is perfect, it only happens with AF in certain scenes.

I consider this lens close to perfect. I highly recommend it.

Oct 13, 2015

DpedrazaOfflineImage Upload: On

Registered: Jan 8, 2013Location: United StatesPosts: 1648

Review Date: Apr 14, 2015

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,250.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Sharp! Sharp! Sharp!, build quality,

Cons:

I actually bought the nikon 16-35mm over this originally because I read reviews that it was nearly as good. After buying this I think those people are crack pots. This lens is insanely sharp and the IQ is def a notch or two higher than the 16-35mm. Filters aren't an issue with the lens anymore they're just pricey. If anyone is looking for a great UWA lens this is def the one you want. Just spend the little more the first time and get the better lens.

Apr 14, 2015

Pertinax222Offline[ X ]

Registered: Jun 20, 2014Location: SwitzerlandPosts: 0

Review Date: Nov 15, 2014

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,930.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Incredibly sharp at 14mm and very low distortion (if used carefully)

Cons:

There a lot of glass you need to be careful because no filter can be mount on this lens.

Its an amazing lens which will you'll use at 14mm (the wide end) when used with full frame (FX) cameras. At 2.8 aperture, it's perfectly sharp even in the corners. If you need 14mm, you need it. But be aware : it's a speciality lens.

Usually, a photographe mariage won't use the range between 15 and 24mm because he already owns the 24-70mm. But here is a nice trick, at 24mm 2.8, this 14-24mm nikkor is perfectly sharp and has no distortion at all. Can you say the same about your 24-70mm at 24mm 2.8 ?? Nope ! bad distortion and less details in the image, specialy in the corners where this lens is sadly poor. Don't hesitate to check pictures at http://www.creativeview.ch and thanks for reading

Nov 15, 2014

oldshutterhandOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jan 24, 2012Location: HungaryPosts: 0

Review Date: May 29, 2014

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Very sharp even wide open down to the corners, very good build quality, sharper than many prime lenses

Cons:

expensive, but it is worth it for people who know how to use it, no filters

This is an extremely good lens even compare to prime lenses. Sharp from corner to corner. Pictures sharp even almost 100% at the Nikon d7100 camera, a bigger piece of equipment though without vr.

I got this lens as an upgrade for my canon 17-40L. Even at f/22, way after the diffraction kicks in, this thing was sharper than the 17-40 at its sweet spot.

It also replaced my Samyang 14mm 2.8 which i used for nightscapes. same sharpness wide open but without the heavy vignetting and better distortion characteristics.

Among other things i love about this lens is its sunstar. i just love it.

now to the negatives.

weight is somewhat of an issue if you want to travel light, but then in my case it replaced 2 lenses with combined weight similar to that of 14-24.

the ability to use filters can be of high importance to a landscape photographer. i use fotodiox wonderpana system and overall i'm pleased with the results

last thing which is fairly common for AF-S wide angle lenses is the very short focus ring travel, which might be tricky when you have to manually focus in certain conditions, but you learn to live with it as you get more experienced with this lens

Dec 13, 2013

eduardvdkOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 9, 2013Location: NetherlandsPosts: 0

Review Date: Sep 30, 2013

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Sharpness, zoom.

Cons:

Weight, size.

From my point of view as a wedding photographer, I like to take shots with this lens ON the dancefloor, standing in between the people dancing. It gives such a feeling like 'you were there' if you see the pictures afterwards. Check out a few shots that I did on the dancefloot at http://www.bruidsfotograaf.nl/trouwfotograaf

The size and weight aren't really a pro here, but it always gives me the feeling that there's quality in the palm of my hand and that makes me happy.

Hope it helps by your desiscion,
Eduard

Sep 30, 2013

fotojevOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Feb 13, 2010Location: NetherlandsPosts: 32

Review Date: Aug 28, 2013

Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated

Pros:

Bought it again :-)

Cons:

The same as before but I can now overlook and manage them

See my previous review also but this lens is great. I have used it als a walk around lens in Italy (like Venice) on a d3x and it is do-able and recommendable.

Aug 28, 2013

the solitaireOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 22, 2013Location: GermanyPosts: 2481

Review Date: Jun 23, 2013

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Sharp from corner to corner, well corrected, did I mention sharp?

Cons:

none

Some say the size and weight are an issue.

There is no other lens available that does what this lens does. Comparing size and weight to a lens that does something else doesnīt really make sense to me.

It balances nicely on a pro body or on a prosumer body with grip.

Itīs perfectly sharp from corner to corner at wide open aperture! Itīs 14mm FL on the wide end.

For landscape use easier access to cheaper filters would have been a plus (you can actually use Cokin P grads on APS-C frame sensors when cutting out the corners of the filter mount a bit and making your own adapter to hold the filter mount)

As things are however the LEE solution seems to be the best way to go on a full frame camera.

I owned this lens ever since it became available and havenīt managed to scratch the front element. I donīt use filters on it and I toss it in my bag without the lens cap all the time.

I shoot outdoors and move around a lot. I donīt think the vulnerability of the front element is that much of an issue. I donīt use protective filters on any of my lenses. Why would it then be an issue on this lens?

Jun 23, 2013

photospotsOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Oct 29, 2012Location: DenmarkPosts: 1

Review Date: Nov 11, 2012

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

very sharp, wonderful colors

Cons:

Need special filter set

One of the most sharp lenses ever produced.
Doesn't take front filters, but you can buy an expensive kit if you need it.
The best wide lens zoom you can get even if you a Canon user.

Ultra sharp, great IQ, very well constructed, just a superb wide angle lens.

Cons:

Heavy but that's not really a bad thing.

What's to say that's not been said already? It is heavy and it has a sticky out bulbous front element but this is a class act. I've been wanting one for years and finally I have one and all I can say is that it is impressive.

It's better at the widest end but for me not an issue as I tend to be between 14 and 20mm, the 24-70 covers 24mm for me. It is super sharp and *way* crisper than my old Canon 16-35L.

The overall 'look' is very good indeed. Highly recommended :-)

Oct 1, 2012

John DanielOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Jun 6, 2004Location: CanadaPosts: 1392

Review Date: Jun 14, 2012

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,700.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

xtra-SHARP all the way, Usable on my 5D III, will be usable on my D800e,

Cons:

weights a ton, but it's worth it, it's huge but it's worth it, not easy to find filters (I got the LEE SW150 and I feel like I am shooting large format) but it's worth it and expensive but.... :-)

Jun 14, 2012

fotoflyOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: May 6, 2005Location: FinlandPosts: 133

Review Date: Dec 4, 2011

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Usable with canon, it's as sharp as lens can get, I got new dimension in landscape photographing with this lens, ++ Now I can have friends from both sides C&N... Thank's Nikon for this piece of gold!

Cons:

Firs I thought manual focusing might be a problem with my 5dmk2, but I forgot that very soon after using it it's practically always in focus when 3ft away from the target and who needs filters nowadays anyway.

I'm happy landscape photographer from the northern hemisphere Finland and I have always wanted to try Nikon gear... my sister is Nikon girl and when I visit her I sometimes keep her N body in my hands but this is all I can do with it... my brains are not Nikon orientated and I feel like I'm holding newborn baby that looks like it just feel so uncomfortable that it will start this noisy screaming, so I let it be where it belongs. I have always had some complains about Canon wide angles and It was hopeless to find great performer for the fullframe body, luckily I heard about this adapter for 14-24mm and then I started to arrange this mission impossible to make adoption from Nikon civilization to Canon family. I'm happy I did because now I know better how to live in peace with the nikonians.

Dec 4, 2011

canonguy4everOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Nov 2, 2010Location: CanadaPosts: 62

Review Date: Nov 14, 2011

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Sharp throughout frame even wide open, gorgeous colours, ease of operation with 16:9 adapter on Canon body, don't need to buy filters as Aperture program has that covered.

Cons:

None

Just an amazing lens on my 5d and Mark III; thank God for the 16:9 adapters so us Canon folk can enjoy this beauty! Using the manual focus, with the confirmation chip, is a breeze and controlling the aperture with the lever is effortless. Truly a joy to use and is better then anything Canon has ever made in this range ( prime or zoom )

Nov 14, 2011

fotojevOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Feb 13, 2010Location: NetherlandsPosts: 32

Review Date: Nov 13, 2011

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8

Pros:

Very high IQ, fast, nice reach, weather seal, build quality.

Cons:

Vulnarable front, bulky, very very heavy.

I bought this lens second hand and used it for about 2 months. This lens produces very beautifull images and is fast and tops in several regards.

What I did not like was it's weight and I did definitely not like the vulnarable bulb on the front. I constantly needed to think about not scratching it. I could have lived with the weight but not with that bulb. So I sold it.

Nov 13, 2011

kicksrkrazyOfflineImage Upload: Off

Registered: Apr 19, 2010Location: United StatesPosts: 18

Review Date: Jul 14, 2011

Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 10

Pros:

Sharp, sharp, and sharp. Did i mention sharp!?
Super Wide
Contrast is beautiful

Cons:

Nothing

I bought this lens for my D90 and I love it. Super wide and super sharp. It is the most used lens out of my bag.